MRAK Almanac: Epic Memorial Day Weekend Edition

The MRAK Almanac is your place for political, cultural, and civic events, events where you’ll meet political leaders or, if you are interested in getting to know your state, these are great places to meet conservative- and moderate-leaning Alaskans.

By KOBE RIZK

It’s Memorial Day weekend, a chance to honor our nation’s fallen heroes and commend their sacrifices for country and freedom. This weekend is also an opportunity to spend time with those we love, and to show support for our Armed Forces.

May 23-25:AU.S. Navy ship has arrived in Seward for the Memorial Day weekend. Another Navy vessel is currently headed to Kodiak, with a third ship expected in Homer by 8 am Saturday. Cancelled. If you find yourselves in one of these communities this weekend, take the chance to say thank you to our sailors. (Send Must Read Alaska a photo: suzanne@mustreadalaska.com.)

May 23-27: Kodiak Crab Festival. Join the Kodiak community for a weekend of fun for the whole family in celebration of Kodiak’s abundant sea resources. Sen. Dan Sullivan will be present and has a fundraiser at Kodiak Motors on May 24 at 7 pm.. Detailshere.

May 23-25: State Soccer Championship for Alaska high schools. Various locations. Details here.

May 24: Free legal clinic for Alaskan veterans (income qualifying) at the VA in Anchorage. Consultations on civil legal matters. Further info here.

May 24: UAF Patty Center renovation “Big Reveal” in Fairbanks. The UAF Athletics Dept. will be hosting an official opening of the newly renovated basement section of the Nanooks’ inner sanctum. 12 pm. Details here.

May 24: The Live at Five concert series in Talkeetna will host their first concert of the summer at 5 pm in the Talkeetna Village Park. Free to all. Details here.

May 24-25: Great Alaskan Craft Beer and Home Brew Festival in Haines. Facebook link here.

May 24: State Track & Field State Championship for Alaskan high schoolers. Hosted by Palmer High School. Details here.

May 24-27: Stage 1 of the Elliot & Dalton Highway Cleanup. Travel up these highways with truckers and clean up some of Alaska’s most beautiful drives. Transportation and lodging provided. Registration here.

May 25-27: Opening Weekend & Memorial Day at Pioneer Park in Fairbanks. Rail-laying and spike-driving demonstrations, a family picnic, and a Memorial Day message, and performance. For a full schedule of the events, visit this link.

May 26-27: The U.S. Navy Pearl Harbor Brass Quintet will be in the Homer area performing at various Memorial Day happenings. The nationally acclaimed group will play at 3 pm Sunday at the Boat House on the Spit, and at 5 pm Monday at the Christian Community Church.

May 27: The Alaska Veterans Museum in Anchorage will be open to the public on Memorial Day from 10 am-5 pm. Stop by in between ceremonies to learn more about Alaska’s veterans.

May 27: Anchorage Corvette Association’s Memorial Day Car Show. Veterans who have recently participated in the Honor Flight program to visit war memorials in Washington, D.C. will be present to share their experiences. Facebook event here.

May 27: American Legion Post 35 Annual Memorial Day BBQ in Wasilla. Begins at 2 pm—food is free, donation welcome. More details here.

May 28: The University of Alaska Board of Regents will be holding a public testimony period from 4-5 pm for all Alaskans wishing to share their perspectives on the university. This will be an audio meeting. Call-in details here.

Through June 30: The Alaska Division of Agriculture is now accepting nominations for the 20th annual Farm Family of the Year Award. The award will be presented to the winning family at the Alaska State Fair this August. Link here to apply before June 30.

MEMORIAL DAY CEREMONIES:

May 26: Alaska Veterans Motorcycle Club ride and ceremony at the Alaska Veteran’s Memorial in Byers Lake. 2 pm start. If you’re interested in being part of the motorcycle group, info here.

May 27:Anchorage Remembers: Memorial Day Ceremony at Delaney Park Veterans Memorial. The ceremony will begin at 9:30 am and is set to include wreath-laying and speeches by Mayor Berkowitz and JBER Col. Csànk. Senator Dan Sullivan will be present. Details here.

May 27: Memorial Day Ceremony at Veterans Memorial Park in Fairbanks, 700 Cushman St. 11 am. Ceremonies to follow at Clay Street Cemetery at 11:45 am and Birch Hill Cemetery at around 12:30 pm.

May 27: The Anchorage Memorial Park Cemetery will be open all day to visitors. No BBQ’s or pets allowed.

May 27: Homer Memorial Day Ceremony at Hickerson Cemetery. 10 am.

May 27: Sitka Memorial Day Remembrance at Sitka National Cemetery. Will begin at 9:30 am.

May 27:JBER Memorial Day Ceremony at Fort Richardson Cemetery. Beginning at 11 am.

May 27: Ketchikan Memorial Day Ceremonies hosted by Veterans of Foreign Wars and the American Legion. 8 am-3 pm. Info here.

May 24, 1960: Alaska Weather Record: earliest day for an Alaskan city to reach at least 90°F. On this day, Fort Wainwright (near Fairbanks) recorded a high of 92°F and Circle Hot Springs registered 90°F. This record stood strong for fifty-five years, until 2015 when Eagle recorded a daytime high of 91°F on May 23.

May 26, 1929: Ninety years since the Alaska Steamship Company’s 360-foot SS Aleutian sunk in Kodiak Island’s Uyak Bay. Aleutian had been traveling on a day of good weather and clear visibility when she suddenly struck a submerged pinnacle of rock. Within only seven minutes of impact, she had completely disappeared below the surface. Due to the remarkably swift deployment of life boats, only one of the 116 souls onboard perished. In 2002, the shipwreck was explored under 200 feet of water in Uyak Bay. According to diver and historian Steve Lloyd, pristine china and furniture remained virtually untouched after 73 years.